A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the quality of the foods that you eat has more to do with losing weight than the quantity of food you eat. Here is a list of 9 foods that are keeping you fat, compiled from various studies as well as recent articles and research.

If you want to be on track to lose weight, save eating red meat for special occasions, and choose wine over beer and mixed drinks if you have to have the “empty calories” of alcohol at all. (Photo by Kyle Wagner)

1. Potato chips
A New England Journal of Medicine study stated that the food most strongly associated with weight gain is potato chips. Bummer, I know! Over time, potatoes in general were attributed with causing the most weight gain, though it was potato chips that were the worst. French fries came in a very close second.

Overweight or not, your intestinal bacteria may be a significant deciding factor in your likelihood to develop diseases such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

Adding probiotics to your diet from yogurt can be a way to increase healthy gut bacteria and stave off diabetes, according to recent research. (Denver Post file photo)

According to new research from the international consortium MetaHIT, which includes the research group of Jeroen Raes (VIB/Vrije Universiteit Brussel), the balance and quality of bacteria in your intestinal lining may actually be a large deciding factor on your likelihood to develop obesity related diseases.

How it works:

You have a variety of bacteria in your intestinal lining. Researchers found three distinct types in different individuals intestinal systems and determined that those with the “lower quality” and less variety of bacteria were found to have a greater likelihood of developing obesity-related diseases.

The pursuit of a healthier state through better living. The Denver Post's ColoradoFit blog features local experts on the latest fitness trends, active lifestyles and nutrition options in Colorado and beyond.